Veritas LA block on offer

[Mr Ed]

For anyone who didn't get an e-mail, Axminster have the Veritas LA Block on offer for £99.95 for a few days. I couldn't resist, so have ordered one with the tote and high front knob to make a mini smoother.

Ed

 

[bugbear]

For anyone who didn't get an e-mail, Axminster have the Veritas LA Block on offer for £99.95 for a few days. I couldn't resist, so have ordered one with the tote and high front knob to make a mini smoother.

Ed

IIRC (is it on the site?) Lee Valley recommend a higher than usual bevel angle if you use the tote + knob, since you can apply much more force than usual.

BugBear

 

[Mr Ed]

Thats the plan

Ed

 

[Beardo16]

Do you know exactly when the offer ends Ed?

The reason i ask is im popping into Axminster on thursday and may purchase one.

 

[Mr Ed]

16th October, which is a week today.

Ed

 

[Beardo16]

Ah thanks Ed.

Will be great to see in the flesh as it will be my first block plane

 

[BradNaylor]

Thanks for the heads up, Ed. I'd received the email but hadn't opened it.

I've got one of these babies and use it all the time - by far the most useful tool I have.


I've not seen the extra handles idea before - that looks very useful. I will be ordering a second plane with handles for use in the shop so my old one can stay on the van. It works a treat on MDF!

Cheers
Brad

 

[Bassbear81]

Im very tempted, but whats the difference between the standard and the low angle, where would I use one and not the other??

 

[Mr Ed]

Im very tempted, but whats the difference between the standard and the low angle, where would I use one and not the other??

Well, the bed angles are different...

The low angle one was originally intended for 'blocking in' i.e. planing end grain, hence the name block plane I believe. A low angle is generally thought to be better for end grain, although this can be challenged in a number of cases.

However, with both being bevel up planes you can amend the effective cutting angle by honing the bevel at a different angle, so the low angle bit is not that relevant.

I think the low angle one with its lower profile fits easier in the hand, but thats a matter of preference.

Ed

 

[Bassbear81]

What is the best angle to hone at?

 

[Mr Ed]

With a bevel up plane it will affect the cutting angle, so it depends what wood and type of work is at hand.

The bed is 12 degrees, so if you want to end up with 45 degrees (the commonest angle of bench planes) then you would hone at 33 degrees or thereabout. Higher angles will suit difficult grain, but be harder to push and (in my view) loose their edge quicker. Lower angles will have more of a slicing action, but can cause tear out on tricky grain.

The beauty of the bevel up plane is that its easy to mess about with the angle of the blade to experiment, without masses of grinding because its only the final honing that counts anglewise.

Ed

 

[HeathRobinson]

Sorry to resurrect a thread pertaining to an offer no longer available. I just wanted to say thanks to Ed. For some reason, despite their system showing that I am subscribed I do not receive the Axminster offer emails and your post alerted me to this offer. I bought on the last day of the offer, a Friday, and the plane arrived on Saturday. Perfect timing as Miss Robinson was tucked up in bed all Saturday with a sore throat and cold leaving me to enjoy my new plane. Literally straight from the box it put my only other plane, a Record #4 to shame. Not really an apples for apples comparison and quite possible a reflection of my lack of fettling skill but I am a happy chap. Thanks again.